Maintenance and Transportation

Maintenance and Transportation
Follow the steps in these sections to keep your Epson Stylus CX7000F Series all-in-one in great shape and transport it, if necessary:
Cleaning the Print Head
Replacing an Ink Cartridge
Aligning the Print Head
Cleaning the CX7000F Series
Transporting the CX7000F Series
Cleaning the Print Head
If your printouts are unexpectedly light or faint, or you notice light or dark bands across your printout, you may need to clean the print head. This unclogs the nozzles so they can deliver ink properly. Print head cleaning uses ink, so clean it only if quality declines.
You can clean the print head using the display and buttons on the CX7000F Series or using the Head Cleaning utility on your computer. You can also run a nozzle check to see if the print head needs cleaning. (To use the buttons on your CX7000F Series to perform these functions, see the Basics Guide.)
Note:
If an ink cartridge is low or expended, you cannot clean the print head. In this case, replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.
Caution:
If you don’t use your CX7000F Series often, it is a good idea to print a few pages at least once a month to maintain good print quality.
Checking the Print Head Nozzles
1.
Make sure the CX7000F Series is turned on but not printing, and the ink cartridges are not low or expended.
2.
Windows:
Right-click the printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Nozzle Check.
Macintosh:
Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select CX7000F Series in the printer list, click OK, and select Nozzle Check.
You see a screen like the following:
3.
Click Print. The nozzle check pattern prints:
4.
If there are gaps or lines, or the test patterns are faint, click Clean. Then follow the steps in Running the Head Cleaning Utility to clean the nozzles.
Running the Head Cleaning Utility
1.
Make sure the CX7000F Series is turned on but not printing, and the ink cartridges are not low or expended.
2.
Windows:
Right-click the printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Head Cleaning.
Macintosh:
Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select CX7000F Series in the printer list, click OK, and select Head Cleaning.
You see a screen like the following:
3.
Click Start or Next.
Cleaning takes several seconds. The CX7000F Series runs a head cleaning cycle and the On light flashes.
Caution:
Never turn off the CX7000F Series while head cleaning is in progress. You may damage it.
4.
When the On light stops flashing, make sure paper is loaded in the CX7000F Series, then do the following:
Windows:
Click Print Nozzle Check Pattern. Then click Print.
Macintosh:
Click Confirmation, then click Next.
The nozzle check pattern prints (see Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern for details).
5.
If there are still gaps or lines, or the test patterns are faint, click Clean to clean the print head again.
If you don’t see any improvement after cleaning it four or five times, refer to Problems and Solutions. You can also turn the printer off and wait overnight. This lets any dried ink soften. Then try cleaning the print head again.
Tip:
If you do not use your CX7000F Series often, it is a good idea to print a few pages at least once a month to maintain good print quality.
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Examine the nozzle check pattern you printed. Each staggered line should be solid, with no gaps, as shown.
Replacing an Ink Cartridge
If you see a message like this on the display, one or more cartridges are low on ink:
When you see a message like this on the display, you need to replace one or more cartridges:
You cannot print when a cartridge is expended.
Note: You’ll also see a low ink message on your computer screen when you print from your computer.
When a cartridge is more than six months old, you may need to replace it if printouts don’t look their best. If the quality doesn’t improve after cleaning and aligning the print head, you can replace the cartridge even if it is not low.
Checking the Ink Cartridge Status
To check the ink cartridge status, do the following:
Windows:
Double-click the  icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). You see a window like the following:
Macintosh:
Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select CX7000F Series in the printer list, click OK, and select EPSON StatusMonitor.
You see a window like this:
Purchasing Ink Cartridges
Use these Epson ink cartridges within six months of installing them and before the expiration date on the package. 
Note:
Try the High Capacity 68 black cartridge available at www.epson.com/highcapacity (U.S. sales) or www.epson.ca (Canadian sales).
For the best prints and copies, use genuine Epson ink and paper. You can purchase genuine Epson ink and paper online at www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales) or www.epson.ca (Canadian sales). You can also purchase them from an Epson authorized reseller. To find the nearest reseller, call 800-GO-EPSON (800-463-7766).
Ink Cartridge Precautions
Warning:
Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children and don’t drink the ink.

Be careful when you handle used ink cartridges; there may be ink remaining around the ink supply port. If ink gets on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water.

Do not put your hand inside the CX7000F Series or touch any cartridges during printing.
Caution:
Do not open ink cartridge packages until you are ready to install the ink. Cartridges are vacuum packed to maintain reliability.

Install a new ink cartridge immediately after removing an expended one. Leaving cartridges uninstalled can dehydrate the print head and may prevent the CX7000F Series from printing.

If you remove an ink cartridge for later use, protect the ink supply area from dirt and dust and store it in the same environment as the CX7000F Series. Note that there is a valve in the ink supply port, making covers or plugs unnecessary, but care is needed to prevent the ink from staining items that the cartridge touches. Do not touch the ink cartridge ink supply port or surrounding area.

If you remove a cartridge that is low (for which you have received an Ink low message), you cannot reuse it.
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
Be sure you have a new ink cartridge before you begin. Once you start replacing a cartridge, you must complete all the steps in one session.
Caution:
Leave the expended cartridge installed until you have obtained a replacement, or the ink remaining in the print head nozzles may dry out. To ensure good results, use genuine Epson ink cartridges and do not refill them. Other products may cause damage to your CX7000F Series not covered by Epson’s warranty.
1.
Press the  On button to turn on the CX7000F Series, or press the  Cancel/Back button until you see a screen like this:
2.
Look at the display to find out which cartridge should be replaced, then press the  Start Color/OK button.
Check the ink cartridge status. See Checking the Ink Cartridge Status for details.
3.
Press the Setup button. You see this display:
4.
Press the  or  button, or press the 5 key on the numeric keypad, to display this option:
5.
Press the  Start Color/OK button.
6.
Caution:
Do not open the scanner when the document cover is open.

Do not move the print head by hand; this may damage the CX7000F Series. Always select 5.Replace Cartridge from the display to move it.
7.
8.
Squeeze the tab at the back of the cartridge and lift it straight out. Dispose of it carefully. Do not take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it.
Warning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water.
9.
Caution:
Do not touch the green chip on the front of the cartridge. This can damage the ink cartridge.
10.
Caution:
Do not remove any other seals from the cartridges.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Press the  Start Color/OK button. The CX7000F Series begins charging ink and Charging appears on the display.
Charging takes about one minute. When it’s finished, 5.Replace Cartridge appears on the display.
Caution:
Never turn off the CX7000F Series while Charging appears on the display or you’ll waste ink.
Note:
If you replaced an ink cartridge while copying a document or photo, cancel printing and make sure your original is still placed correctly on the document table. Then copy your original again.
16.
Press the  Cancel/Back button until you return to the first screen.
Aligning the Print Head
If your printouts look grainy or blurry, or you see light or dark horizontal banding, you may need to align the print head.
Note:
Banding may also occur if your cartridges are low on ink or you need to clean the print head.
1.
Turn on the CX7000F Series.
2.
3.
Windows:
Right-click the printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Print Head Alignment.
Macintosh:
Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Print Utility. Select Stylus CX7000F in the printer list, click OK, and select Print Head Alignment.
4.
5.
Look at the five sets of patterns in your printout. For each set, if you see a pattern with no visible vertical lines, enter its number in the corresponding box on the screen and click Next.
If you can’t find an aligned pattern, choose the one that’s closest to being aligned. Click Realignment and then Print to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step.
6.
Click Print to print a black horizontal alignment sheet. After it’s printed, you see a window like this one:
7.
Look at the printout and select the pattern with no gap or line between the rectangles. Enter the number for that pattern in the box on the screen and click Next.
If you can’t find an aligned pattern, choose the one that looks the best. Then click Realignment to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step.
8.
Click Print to print a color horizontal alignment sheet. After it’s printed, you see a window like this one:
9.
Look at the printout and find the pattern with no gap or line between the rectangles and enter its number in the box on the screen.
If you can’t find an aligned pattern, choose the one that looks the best. Then click Realignment to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step.
10.
Click Finish to close the Print Head Alignment Utility.
Cleaning the CX7000F Series
To keep your CX7000F Series working at its best, you should clean it several times a year.
1.
Turn off the CX7000F Series, unplug the power cord, and disconnect the USB cable.
2.
3.
If the glass surface of the document table is dirty, clean it with a soft dry cloth, or use a small amount of glass cleaner on a soft cloth to clean it. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the glass.
4.
If the outer case or inside of the sheet feeder is dirty, clean it with a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent. Keep the scanner section closed to prevent water from getting inside.
5.
Warning:
Don’t touch the gears or any other parts inside the CX7000F Series.
Caution:
Never use a hard or abrasive brush, or benzine, alcohol, or paint thinner for cleaning; they can damage the CX7000F Series components and case.

Don’t get water on the CX7000F Series components and don’t spray lubricants or oils inside the CX7000F Series.
Transporting the CX7000F Series
If you need to ship your CX7000F Series, you must prepare it for transportation by packing it in its original box or one of a similar size.
1.
Turn off the CX7000F Series.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Caution:
Be sure to remove the tape after installing the printer in its new location.
6.
7.
Repack the CX7000F Series in the original box using the protective materials that came with it.
Keep the CX7000F Series level as you transport it.
After transporting the CX7000F Series, remove the tape securing the print head, plug in the CX7000F Series, and turn it on. If you notice a decline in print quality, clean the print head; if output is misaligned, align the print head.